CONTRACTS: Utility man gets deal

Irish-born utility man Leon McSweeney will join United on a four-month deal tomorrow morning [4 September] which will keep him at Brunton Park until midnight on 4 January 2014.

McSweeney, 29, started his career in his native Ireland but joined Leicester City as a promising teenager before enjoying spells with Scarborough, Hucknall Town, Hednesford Town and Ilkeston Town as he waited for his career to take off.

His patience was rewarded in 2008 when a move to Stockport led to 18 months of regular League One football.

He joined Hartlepool United in 2009 and made over 75 appearances before a summer 2011 move took him to Leyton Orient. He was released by the O’s at the end of last season when his two-year contract in East London came to an end.

“We think this is a really good one for us,” manager Greg Abbott said. "Leon has played regular football wherever he's been and he's keen to carry that on.

"He joined us for training today and you could see that he's fit and raring to go. He has good knowledge of this level and he wants to be playing football. He's a player who can do a number of jobs and he's one we are really looking forward to working with."